Hot Hot Heat

Hot Hot Heat

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1999 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Headquarters	Victoria , Canada
Products	Studio albums, singles, EPs

Hot Hot Heat was an indie rock group originating from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, established in 1999. They secured a deal with the Seattle-based label Sub Pop in 2001 and were mainly linked with Warner Records throughout their tenure.

Throughout their career, the band produced five studio albums: the well-received Make Up the Breakdown (2002), Elevator (2005), Happiness Ltd. (2007), Future Breeds (2010), and their concluding self-titled record released in 2016. Their musical approach blended electronic elements with conventional instrumentation, often described under genres like dance-punk, post-punk revival, and art-punk.

After a period of minimal activity following 2011, Hot Hot Heat revealed plans for new music on March 13, 2016, issuing the limited 7" single "Nature of Things" for Record Store Day. Subsequently, on April 5, they declared their disbandment alongside the announcement of their fifth album’s release set for June 24, 2016, through Kaw-Liga Records, featuring the lead track "Kid Who Stays in the Picture."

After an eight-year break, Hot Hot Heat reunited late in 2023, unveiling their comeback single "Shock Me" on December 1, 2023. The reunion was short-lived; on January 26, 2024, the band canceled forthcoming recordings and live performances due to lead singer Steve Bays’ inability to commit.

Career

Dustin Hawthorne, employed as a drugstore clerk, and Steve Bays, working as a personal assistant, had collaborated in various bands since 1995 and met Paul Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley acquired a Juno 6 keyboard and invited Bays to play it. Hawley assumed drumming duties, Hawthorne handled bass guitar, and Matthew Marnik was the vocalist. Their initial sound was rooted in electropunk.

Transitioning towards a more melodic and pop-oriented direction, they parted ways with Marnik and incorporated guitarist Dante DeCaro. Drawing inspiration from 1980s new wave acts such as the Cure, XTC, the Clash, and Elvis Costello alongside the Attractions, this lineup—with Bays on lead vocals—issued several 7" singles and toured across Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Their tours included supporting indie rock bands like Les Savy Fav, Radio 4, as well as opening nationally for Canadian rock group Sloan.

Their live performances caught the attention of Seattle’s label Sub Pop, which signed them in 2001. This partnership led to the release of the EP Knock Knock Knock in early 2002, partially produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. By then, their sound had evolved into dance-punk, placing them at the forefront of an emerging indie rock trend. Shortly after came their debut full-length album Make Up the Breakdown, produced by Nirvana and Soundgarden’s producer Jack Endino.

The album received widespread critical praise; singles such as "Bandages" and "Talk to Me, Dance With Me" garnered consistent rotation on MTV and influential stations including Los Angeles’ KROQ-FM, both topping its charts.

However, due to lyrical content during the Middle East conflict, "Bandages" was pulled from UK radio playlists which limited its chart performance to No. 25. In 2002, they secured a U.S. deal with Warner.

In 2003, their pre-Sub Pop recordings from 2001 were reissued as Scenes One Through Thirteen on OHEV Records, showcasing their transitional sound phase.

The year 2004 saw Make Up the Breakdown winning "Favourite Album" at the Canadian Independent Music Awards. Guitarist Dante DeCaro announced his departure in October but remained to complete their subsequent album before joining Montreal’s band Wolf Parade. Their major-label debut Elevator was released under Warner Bros. in 2005. For touring that year, Luke Paquin replaced Dante on guitar. Elevator achieved top ten status on the !earshot Campus and Community Radio chart.

That same year, Hot Hot Heat supported headline acts such as Weezer and Foo Fighters during the "Foozer Tour."

On May 17, 2007, they opened for American synth-rock band the Killers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre; however, due to lead vocalist Brandon Flowers suffering bronchitis, The Killers shortened their set.

Their third studio effort, Happiness Ltd., was released on September 11, 2007. The track "Give Up?" was previewed on Myspace in March before being issued as a single in May; "Let Me In" followed with a July release.

During summer 2007, Hot Hot Heat toured alongside Snow Patrol across the U.S., then embarked on headline tours through Germany, Canada, and the U.S. starting that September. "Let Me In" debuted at number eight on KROQ-FM; its music video premiered via Myspace Music in August. The band streamed their new album on Myspace that September.

Between 2008 and 2009, they constructed their own recording studio where they experimented with disco rhythms and electronic loops while collaborating with producer Ryan Dahle from Limblifter/Age of Electric. They briefly toured Canada opening for Bloc Party.

On September 24, 2008, Hot Hot Heat appeared on season two of children’s television show Yo Gabba Gabba!, performing "Time to Go Outdoors." During this period founding bassist Hawthorne departed quietly; Parker Bossley from Canadian dance-punk group Fake Shark - Real Zombie! took over bass duties. Later on, Louis Hearn—also from Fake Shark - Real Zombie!—replaced Bossley as bassist in 2010.

Their fourth album, Future Breeds, was released June 8, 2010 via Dine Alone Records. To support it, they held residencies at Public Assembly (New York City) and Bootleg Theater (Los Angeles) during May and June.

Public visibility declined throughout the 2010s; nevertheless, they premiered a new track titled "Mayor of the City" in May 2013. The band suggested an upcoming album release for fall 2015 through Twitter updates. On September 10, 2015, they confirmed new material arriving spring 2016. Their final self-titled album containing ten tracks was issued on June 24, 2016.

Following their disbandment announcement, Bays reunited with former bassist Bossley to launch electro-pop project Fur Trade.

On November 18, 2023, Hot Hot Heat declared a reunion featuring members Bays, Hawley, DeCaro, and Bossley with a new single "Shock Me" released December 1. The reunion concluded abruptly on January 26, 2024 when they announced via social media that Bays was unable to continue participation.

Past members

• Steve Bays – keyboards (1999–2016, 2023), lead vocals (2000–2016, 2023), backing vocals (1999–2000)
• Paul Hawley – drums, backing vocals (1999–2016, 2023)
• Dante DeCaro – guitar (2001–2005, 2023)
• Parker Bossley – bass, backing vocals (2008–2010, 2023)
• Dustin Hawthorne – bass (1999–2008)
• Matthew Marnik – lead vocals (1999–2000)
• Luke Paquin – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2016)
• Louis Hearn – bass, backing vocals (2010–2016)

Former touring personnel

• Jimmy Sweet – keyboards, guitar, percussion (2007–2010)

Timeline

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Colors =

id:vocals   value:red         legend:Lead_vocals
id:bvocals  value:pink        legend:Backing_vocals
id:keyboard value:purple      legend:Keyboards
id:guitar   value:green       legend:Guitar
id:bass     value:blue        legend:Bass
id:drums    value:orange      legend:Drums

id:lines    value:black       legend:Studio_albums

LineData =

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at:04/05/2005 color:black layer:back
at:09/11/2007 color:black layer:back
at:06/08/2010 color:black layer:back
at:06/24/2016 color:black layer:back

BarData =

bar:Matthew text:"Matthew Marnik"
bar:Steve   text:"Steve Bays"
bar:Dante   text:"Dante DeCaro"
bar:Luke    text:"Luke Paquin"
bar:Dustin  text:"Dustin Hawthorne"
bar:Parker  text:"Parker Bossley"
bar:Louis   text:"Louis Hearn"
bar:Paul    text:"Paul Hawley"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Steve    from:01/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 color:keyboard
bar:Steve    from:01/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 color:bvocals  width:3
bar:Steve    from:06/01/2000 till:12/31/2016 color:vocals
bar:Steve    from:11/19/2023 till:end        color:vocals
bar:Steve    from:11/19/2023 till:end        color:keyboard width:3
bar:Steve    from:06/01/2000 till:12/31/2016 color:keyboard width:3
bar:Paul     from:01/01/1999 till:12/31/2016 color:drums
bar:Paul     from:04/01/2005 till:12/31/2016 color:bvocals  width:3
bar:Paul     from:11/19/2023 till:end        color:drums
bar:Paul     from:11/19/2023 till:end        color:bvocals  width:3
bar:Dustin   from:01/01/1999 till:06/01/2008 color:bass
bar:Matthew  from:01/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 color:vocals
bar:Dante    from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2005 color:guitar
bar:Dante    from:11/19/2023 till:end        color:guitar
bar:Luke     from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2016 color:guitar
bar:Luke     from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2016 color:bvocals  width:3
bar:Parker   from:06/01/2008 till:09/01/2010 color:bass
bar:Parker   from=06 /01 /2008 till=09 /01 /2010 color=bvocals  width=3 
bar:Parker   from=11 /19 /2023 till=end        color=bvocals  width=3 
bar:Parker   from=11 /19 /2023 till=end        color=bass 
bar Louis    from=09 /01 /2010 till=12 /31 /2016 color=bass 
bar Louis    from=09 /01 /2010 till=12 /31 /2016 color=bvocals width=3 

</timeline>

Studio albums

Title	Album information	Highest chart rankings
		AUS Hit.	GER	SCO	UK	US	US Indie
Make Up the Breakdown	Release date: October 8, 2002 Record label: Sub Pop	19	—	38	35	146	5
Elevator	Release date: April 5, 2005 Record label: Sire	10	92	31	34	34	—
Happiness Ltd.	Released on September 11, 2007 Label: Sire/Warner Music	—	—	—	133	86	—
Future Breeds	Released June 8, 2010 Label: Dangerbird/Dine Alone	—	—	—	—	—	—
Hot Hot Heat	Released June 24, 2016 Label: Kaw-Liga/Culvert	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" indicates albums that failed to chart or were not released in that region

Compilations

• Scenes One Through Thirteen (2002)

EPs

• Hot Hot Heat four-track 7" (1999)
• Hot Hot Heat Split the Red Light Sting (2000)
• Hot Hot Heat three-track 7" (2001)
• Knock Knock Knock (2002)
• Happiness Ltd. EP (2007)

Singles

Singles list including selected peak chart positions, release years, and associated albums

Title	Year	Highest rankings										Album
		CAN Emg.	CAN Alt	CAN Rock	MEX Air.	SCO	UK	UK Rock	US Bub.	US DL	US Alt.
"Bandages"	2003	—	×	×	×	27	25	—	—	—	19	Make Up the Breakdown
"No, Not Now"		—	×	×	×	46	38	—	—	—	—
"Talk to Me, Dance with Me"		—	×	×	×	—	78	12	—	—	33
"Island of the Honest Man"	2005	—	×	—	×	—	—	—	—	—	—	Elevator
"Goodnight Goodnight"		—	×	20	×	33	36	—	2	59	27
"Middle of Nowhere"		—	×	23	×	50	47	—	—	—	23
"Christmas Day in the Sun"		—	×	—	×	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Give Up?"	2007	—	×	—	×	—	—	—	—	—	—	Happiness Ltd.
"Let Me In"		24	×	19	×	54	138	—	—	—
"Harmonicas & Tambourines"
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